Compelling Deterrence MTG Card


Strategically, it disrupts opponents by bouncing permanents and potentially forcing discards. Instant speed casting provides flexibility and surprise elements in gameplay. Limited by the need for a Zombie to unlock its full potential and specific mana cost.
Card setsReleased in 3 setsSee all
Mana cost
Converted mana cost2
RarityUncommon
TypeInstant

Text of card

Return target nonland permanent to its owner's hand. Then that player discards a card if you control a Zombie.

"So much for neighborly hospitality!"


Cards like Compelling Deterrence

Compelling Deterrence offers a unique blend of utility within Magic: The Gathering’s roster of control spells. It shares conceptual similarities with the classic Unsummon, allowing players to temporarily remove a creature from the battlefield. Yet, it distinguishes itself by giving the added benefit of forcing a discard if you control a Zombie, adding a strategic layer that Unsummon lacks.

Another relative in the realm of bounce spells is Vapor Snag, which directs the setback more personally by also inflicting life loss. Like Compelling Deterrence, Vapor Snag is cost-efficient, but it doesn’t offer the discard clause, leaving it slightly less versatile in decks that capitalize on opponent hand disruption. Into the Roil deserves recognition as well; though it costs more, it presents the advantage of a kicker effect that could draw a card, offering both removal and card advantage.

In defining a card’s role within the vast collection of Magic: The Gathering interactions, Compelling Deterrence carves out its niche. It becomes particularly potent in decks revolving around Zombie synergy, elevating it beyond a mere creature bounce to a tool that can impact both the battlefield and the psychological game by attacking the opponent’s hand resources.

Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Vapor Snag - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions
Unsummon - MTG Card versions
Vapor Snag - MTG Card versions
Into the Roil - MTG Card versions

Cards similar to Compelling Deterrence by color, type and mana cost

Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remove Soul - MTG Card versions
Counterspell - MTG Card versions
Hurkyl's Recall - MTG Card versions
Hypnotic Sprite // Mesmeric Glare - MTG Card versions
Lat-Nam's Legacy - MTG Card versions
Flash - MTG Card versions
Boomerang - MTG Card versions
Rebound - MTG Card versions
Memory Lapse - MTG Card versions
Hoodwink - MTG Card versions
Tidal Bore - MTG Card versions
Accumulated Knowledge - MTG Card versions
Aether Burst - MTG Card versions
Impulse - MTG Card versions
Cyclonic Rift - MTG Card versions
Thassa's Intervention - MTG Card versions
Metamorphose - MTG Card versions
Echoing Truth - MTG Card versions
Early Frost - MTG Card versions
Mana Leak - MTG Card versions
Remove Soul - MTG Card versions

Decks using this card

MTG decks using Compelling Deterrence. Dig deeper into the strategy of decks, sideboard cards, list ideas and export to play in ARENA or MOL.

#NameFormatArchetypeEvent
DecklistDecklist Free formSet Roulette Spring 2024

Card Pros

Card Advantage: Compelling Deterrence provides an avenue to disrupt your opponent’s battlefield presence while potentially netting a card from their hand, making it an impactful card advantage tool when the right conditions are met.

Resource Acceleration: While not directly accelerating resources, it can set your opponent back by forcing a replay of their threats, indirectly giving you a tempo advantage that can be leveraged for resource acceleration.

Instant Speed: The ability to cast Compelling Deterrence at instant speed offers great flexibility, allowing players to respond to threats or actions immediately, keeping mana open for strategic plays and catching opponents off guard.


Card Cons

Discard Requirement: One potential downside of Compelling Deterrence is that to take full advantage of its capabilities, an opponent must discard a card only if you control a Zombie. Without a Zombie, it loses some of its utility, making it situational and potentially less valuable in non-Zombie decks.

Specific Mana Cost: Compelling Deterrence requires both a blue mana and a generic mana, which can pose a restriction. This mana specificity could be a limiting factor in decks that aren’t primarily blue or that have mana bases stretched between too many colors.

Comparatively High Mana Cost: While costing two mana isn’t exorbitant, in the realm of instant disruption, there may be alternatives with lower costs. Therefore, the mana investment for the effect of returning a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand might be considered steep compared to other options in the format that perform similar roles for less.


Reasons to Include in Your Collection

Versatility: Compelling Deterrence shines in a variety of decks, notably those that can capitalize on instant-speed interaction. Its ability to return a non-land permanent to its owner’s hand makes it a flexible tool for disrupting opponent strategies.

Combo Potential: This card also works well in decks that manipulate the number of zombie creatures on the board. Its added ability to force a discard when you control a zombie can synergize with other graveyard and zombie-themed cards to create potent combos.

Meta-Relevance: In a game-state where tempo plays a crucial role, Compelling Deterrence offers a cost-effective method to set opponents back. In formats where maintaining momentum is key, this card is a strategic addition to maintain control of the game.


How to beat

Compelling Deterrence is a unique tool in Magic: The Gathering’s array of interactive spells. Its ability to return a nonland permanent to its owner’s hand and potentially force a discard makes it a versatile nuisance. To effectively navigate against it, understanding the conditions that enhance its power is crucial. Firstly, take note that its discard clause only triggers if the caster has a Zombie on the board, making it possible to circumvent the discard by managing the board state and keeping it clear of Zombie creatures.

Moreover, the timing of Compelling Deterrence is also a point of contention. Given that it’s an instant, an anticipated approach is to play less critical spells when the opponent has open mana, baiting out the Deterrence on a suboptimal target. Additionally, having an array of redundant or less valuable permanents can mitigate the loss caused by the bounce effect. Lastly, utilizing the maximum hand size to your advantage or investing in cards that offer card advantage can help maintain resource parity even if a discard is forced upon you.

By examining these strategies and adapting to the situation on the battlefield, players can dampen the impact of Compelling Deterrence and maintain their position in the game.


Where to buy

If you're looking to purchase Compelling Deterrence MTG card by a specific set like Duel Decks: Blessed vs. Cursed and Shadows over Innistrad, there are several reliable options to consider. One of the primary sources is your local game store, where you can often find booster packs, individual cards, and preconstructed decks from current and some past sets. They often offer the added benefit of a community where you can trade with other players.

For a broader inventory, particularly of older sets, online marketplaces like TCGPlayer, Card Kingdom and Card Market offer extensive selections and allow you to search for cards from specific sets. Larger e-commerce platforms like eBay and Amazon also have listings from various sellers, which can be a good place to look for sealed product and rare finds.

Additionally, Magic’s official site often has a store locator and retailer lists for finding Wizards of the Coast licensed products. Remember to check for authenticity and the condition of the cards when purchasing, especially from individual sellers on larger marketplaces.

Below is a list of some store websites where you can buy the Compelling Deterrence and other MTG cards:

TCGPlayerBUY NOW
BurnMana is an official partner of TCGPlayer
Continue exploring other sealed products in Amazon
See MTG Products

Printings

The Compelling Deterrence Magic the Gathering card was released in 3 different sets between 2016-02-26 and 2023-03-21. Illustrated by Seb McKinnon.

#ReleasedNameCodeSymbolNumberFrameLayoutBorderArtist
12016-02-26Duel Decks: Blessed vs. CursedDDQ 422015NormalBlackSeb McKinnon
22016-04-08Shadows over InnistradSOI 522015NormalBlackSeb McKinnon
32023-03-21Shadows over Innistrad RemasteredSIR 552015NormalBlackSeb McKinnon

Legalities

Magic the Gathering formats where Compelling Deterrence has restrictions

FormatLegality
HistoricbrawlLegal
CommanderLegal
HistoricLegal
LegacyLegal
ModernLegal
OathbreakerLegal
VintageLegal
DuelLegal
ExplorerLegal
GladiatorLegal
PioneerLegal
TimelessLegal

Rules and information

The reference guide for Magic: The Gathering Compelling Deterrence card rulings provides official rulings, any errata issued, as well as a record of all the functional modifications that have occurred.

Date Text
2016-04-08 Compelling Deterrence targets only the nonland permanent. If that permanent becomes an illegal target, Compelling Deterrence doesn’t resolve and that player doesn’t discard a card.
2016-04-08 If you target the only Zombie you control with Compelling Deterrence, you won’t discard a card.
2016-04-08 The card returned to its owner’s hand may be the card they discard. If it’s the only card in that player’s hand, it must be discarded.